Stigmata of stigma and culprits of non-adherence that influence the hiv patients receiving art treatment

Background: HIV-related stigma and discrimination refers to prejudice, negative attitudes and abuse directed at people with AIDS. Self – stigma or internalised stigma has an equally damaging effect on mental wellbeing of people. These all limit access to HIV testing, treatment and other HIV services.
Aims and Objectives: To identify the influence of stigma on HIV patients and barriers to non-adherence of Anti Retroviral therapy.
Methodology: Cross-sectional observational study was conducted to identify the influence of stigma on HIV patients and barriers to non-adherence of Anti Retroviral therapy. HIV patients who met inclusion criteria were informed consented and included in the study and relevant data was collected in a pre tested standardized questionnaire.
Results: 250 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. On reviewing the data it was found that most of the patients experienced the stigma and were worried about people talking badly about them and avoidance from family, friends and colleagues in the work place. Our study also found that most of the patients were adherent to Anti Retroviral therapy and were regularly attending for check-up. The reasons for attending regulary were because of fear of progression of HIV and treatment will reduce the disease. Few patients didnot attend regularly for checkup because of work followed by difficulty in transport.
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained our study strongly concluded that most of the patients experienced the stigma and also they were adherent to ART therapy.